Your shingled roof is very often overlooked until a problem occurs. When a new roof becomes necessary, consider the options, as well as the criteria used to determine which system your roof is a candidate for.
Your existing shingle roof must be torn off if any one of these conditions exist:
- Your roof has two or more layers. City codes require that at least one later be torn off, depending where you live. Most cities allow only two layers on your roof. Usually when you tear off your existing roof it is best to tear off all layers and is required in most cities.
- Your decking has rotted wood as evidenced by soft spots, or the roof will not hold a nail.
- The shingles on your roof are excessively curled or buckled. If so, your shingles are probably starting to fail.
Your existing roof will be considered for re-roofing over the existing roof if it meets the following criteria.
- The existing roof has one layer.
- Your shingles are free of excessive curls and buckles.
- The roof shows no evidence of rotted wood.
Any visual flaws on the existing shingle roof will be exaggerated by re-roofing. Any dips, buckles or bumps will look larger with another layer of shingles on them. A re-roof costs less than a tear-off, but a re-roof seldom look as good as a tear-off.